Shear press



0a. 10, 1950 R. F. D HN 2,525,401

SHEAR PRESS BY Pay E DEHH Get. 10, 1950 R. F. DEHN 2,525,401

' SHEAR PRESS Filed April 8, 1947 Y4 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 1x Q 2V: 2 Q T Z 00 8 M I a *3; M

v M 1: 1| 4 W N w I m at w H $9, 3; J" y,

INVENTOR. POYEDEH/Y R. F. DEHN SHEAR PRESS Oct. 10, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 8, 1947 INVEN TOR. BY /Por E DEHN W, #W g WM ATTORNEYS Oct. 10, 1950 R. F. DEHN 2,525,401

SHEAR PRESS Filed April 8, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 H H'llllllL V IN VEN TOR. Roy /-7 DEA/H Patented Oct. 10, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT= OFFICE SHEAR PRESS Roy F. Dehn, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Cleveland Crane & Engineering Company, Wickliffe, Ohio, a corporation of'Ohio v Application April 8, 1947, Serial No. 740,168. 1

5 Claims.

This invention relates to heavy duty poweroperated shear presses and to an adjustable support or shim for a shearing knife of a shear press.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved adjustable support or mounting for a shearing knife of a heavy dutypower-operated shear press of thetype used for shearing or slitting sheetlike materials and employing relatively long, narrow, thin knives, which support or mounting is simple in structure and provides a' solid continuous support for the shearing. knife, ready means for compensating for knife wear, variations in the thickness of the knife, fiexure of the knife supporting members under heavy load or stress, selective adjustment of the clearancebetween the coacting knives over their entire longitudinal length, and, if desired, means for producing a desired camber or other curvature of a knife relative to its supporting member.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved means for adjusting the shearing knife of a shear press of the character referred torelative to' its supporting or backing member capable of effecting a desired camber Or other uniform or non-uniform shape of the shearing knife, which means comprises an elongated member for disposition in-- termediate the knife and its'supporting or backing member and'having at least one normallyi;

cambered side for effecting an initialcamber of the shearing knife relative to its supporting member.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved heavy dutypoweroperated shear press of the type referred. to having means interposed between at least one of the shearing'knivesand its-supporting member for adjusting the knife relative theretmwhichmeans is wedge-shaped and adjustable in different amounts throughout the length of the knife whereby the knife may be adjusted in different and desired degrees or amounts relative to its' supporting member throughout its length.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved heavy duty power.- operated shear press having a stationary fixed bed adapted to support a fixed shearing knife and a blade oscillatable about an axis generally parallel to the cutting edge of the fixed shearing.

knife, the lower edge of the blade being angularly disposed, in the vertical plane, relative to the stationary knife and having elongated flat surfaces adapted to support along, thin, narlongitudinal row shearing. knife for shearing movement relative to the fixed shearing knife, in combination with an elongated shim member having at least one outwardly cambered side adapted to be positioned intermediate the shearing. knife andone of the surfaces of-the blade for effecting outward. camber inthe knife whereby a uniform clearance throughout the length of thefixed and movable. shearingknives will result when the blade is oscillated.

The invention resides in certain constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts, and further objects. and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from. the following description of the preferred. embodiment described with reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 isa front elevational view of a poweroperated, heavy duty shears embodying the present invention, with parts broken away to better show. the construction;

Fig. 2.-is. a rear view of the sheers;

Fig. 3.is-.a sectional view taken approximately on theiine 3-3 of- Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is. a-fragmentary sectional view approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a. fragmentary sectional view approximately on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a rearelevational view of thewedge member shown in Figs. 1 to 5;

Fig, '7 is. a. sectional view of the wedge member taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig- 8. is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing an alternative construction; and

Fig, 9 is a. sectional view taken approximately on the. line 9'9 of Fig, 8.. I

The invention, while adaptable to any form of shear press wherein adjustment of a shearing knife relative to its supporting. member is desirable or necessary, is particularly adaptable to the typev of shear press shown. and described in my copending application for patent, Serial No. 728,760, .now Pat'ent No. 2,491,363 filed February 15,1941, and the, patent to William G. Wehr, No. 2,397,896,..dated April 2,'1946. Only those parts of the shear press which are necessary to a completeunderstanding of the present invention are herein-v shown and. described in detail. Reference taken taken tothe aforesaid patents is, made for a com- 3 ings l0, ll having aligned openings [2, l3, respectively, in their front edges; a crown I4; and a bed I5.

A movable ram or upper blade, designated generally by the reference character B, extends substantially from one side housing to the other and is of built-up construction. As shown, the movable ram or blade B comprises a longitudinally extending front plate I 6 welded to the front ends of rearwardly extending end members H,

[8, the rear ends of which are rotatably connectedto short, shaftlike members 20, 2| rotatably supported in suitable apertures in the side housings H], II, respectively, for rotation about an axis eccentric to the axis about which the end members ll, l8 are connected thereto. The axis about which the ram or blade B is pivoted is preferably slightly above the plane of the work supporting surface of the bed.

In addition to the front plate I6 and the end members or plates l1, l8, the movable ram or upper blade B comprises a bottom plate 23 having an upwardly extendingrear flange 24. The front edge of the bottom plate 23 abuts against and is welded to the rear side of the plate 16 adjacent to .the lower edge thereof while the ends thereof are welded to the end members l7, l8. The blade assembly is reinforced by web members 25, 26, 21, 28, 29 Welded to the front plate [6 and to the bottom plate 23 and by triangular plates 30, 3| welded to the rear side of the bottom plate 23 and the end members I I, I8.

The front end of the ram or movable blade B is supported and the entire blade assembly is adapted to be oscillated about the shafts 20, 2| by pitmans 32, 33, the upper ends of which are operatively connected to eccentrics on a crankshaft 34. The lower ends of the pitmans 32, 33 areconnected to short shafts fixed in opposite ends of the blade B. The crankshaft 34 is rotated by an electric motor 35 operatively connected to the crankshaft 34 through suitable mechanism including a selectively operable friction clutch 36 normally held in the disengaged position by a sprin 31. normally held in the engaged position by the spring 31 acts to stop rotation of the crankshaft 34 and hold the ram or blade in it normally up position.

The clutch 36 is engaged and the brake 38 disengaged by a torque motor 40 of the multiphase type, the energization of which is controlled by a freely locatable and easily accessible electric switch 4| and suitable control apparatus including a limit switch 42 for de-energizing the torque motor as the blade or ram B returns to its up position. A dashpot 43controls the rate of reengagement of the brake 38 under the force of the spring 37. The clutch mechanism herein shown is claimed in my'above mentioned copending application.

The shearing operation is performed by a stationary relatively long, narrow, thin shearing knife 45 located in a cutout portion at the upper rear edge of the bed and a movable shearing knife 46 of similar shape connected to the lower front edge of the plate l6 of the movable ram or blade B. The plate l6 of the blade B is inclined at a slight angle to the vertical as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to provide clearance between the plate l6 and the stationary knife 45 when the ram or blade B is oscillated, and the lower front edge of the plate [6 is inclined lengthwise so that the knives 4'5, 46 will efiect a true shearing action. To better support the upper A friction brake 38 shearing knife 46, the lower front edge of the plate [6 is cut out forming a continuous generally horizontal plane surf-ace 48 against which the upper surface or side of the knife 46 abuts for transmitting the power to the top of the shearing knife 46 and a continuous generally vertical backing or supporting surface 49 for rigidly supporting the rear side of the knife relative to the blade B. The upper shearing knife 46 is held in position in the cutout portion by a plurality of screws or bolts 5| located at spaced intervals along the knife and projecting therethrough and the lower part of the plate I6 forming the backin or supporting surface 49. As shown, the heads of the screws 5| are located in a groove in the front face of the shearing knife 46 and countersunk therein so as to clear the stationary shearing knife 45 and not interfere with the oscillation of the movable blade B. If desired, the front face of the knife can be formed plane and smooth with the heads of the screws 5| merely countersunk.

In the shear press shown, the axis of rotation of the blade B is parallel to the cutting edge of the stationary shearing knife 45, while the cutting edge of the movable shearing knife 46 is inclined lengthwise relative to the cutting edge of the stationary shearing knife 45 and to the axis of rotation of the blade B. Preferably the stationary knife 45 has a straight or linear cutting edge. With such an arrangement, to effect a uniform clearance between the cutting edges of the shearing knives throughout their longitudinal length during shearing movement of the blade B, the movable shearing knife 46 must have its cutting edge positioned on the surface of a cylinder the center of which is coincident with the axis of rotation of the blade B, i, e., its cutting edge must be curved outwardly a slight amount so as to form a segment of a helix having a very long pitch and an axis also coincident with the axis of rotation of the blade B.

The invention contemplates a simple, easily manufactured, and easily adjusted means for effecting the helical shape, or in other words an outward curvature or camber of the cutting edge of the movable sheering knife 46, while at the same t me permitting the front and back surfaces of the shearing knife to be formed flat and parallel to each other and the supporting or backing surface 49 of the plate IE to be machined flat and plane. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the means comprise an elongated flexible shim 52 interposed between the upper shearing knife 46 and the backing or supporting surface 49, which shim has a front knife engaging surface 53 and a rear blade engaging surface 54. Either one or both of the front or rear surfaces 53, 54, respectively, may be outwardly cambered to a desired predetermined or precalculated degree such that when the shim is assembled with the shearing knife on the blade [6, the cutting edge of the shearing knife will assume the desired outward curvature or camber. As will be apparent, the camber required is a function of the inclination of the movable knife and the length of its radii of oscillation.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the rear surface 54 of the shim 52 is machined flat and plane while the front surface 53 is cambered outwardly to the desired amount as shown in exaggerated form in Fig. 7. The shearing knife 46, while having its front and back surfaces machined plane and parallel, is, due to its long length and relatively narrow width, quite fiex-- on the'plate [6 with the shim 52- 'as show-n readilyassumes the camber. ofthe front. surface.:531 As-= viewed in Fig. 4, the fronteknife engagingsurface53 of the shim 52 and the rearbladeengaging surface 54 thereof are angularly disposed relative to each other; the rear surface 54 tapering inward in an upward direction, thus forming a wedge-shaped shim, vertical movement of which results-in a horizontal fore-or-aft movement of the: shearing knife 46 relative to the plate I5. For cooperating with the tapered rear surface- 54 of the shim 52, the backing or supporting surface 49 of the plate- 16 is out wardly inclined upwardly and forwardly as viewed in Fig. 4- at an angle correspondingto the angle of 'taper between the surfaces 53, 54. With the:

construction shown, it is possible, by distorting the shim 52 in its longitudinal vertical plane, to effect a greater or less camber of the shear-e ing knife than that of the actual camber of the front surface 53 of the shim relative to its rear surface 54, or, in other words, the camber of the front surface 53 when the shim is in its normal or unstressed state.

The openings 56 in the shim 52 through which the bolts 5| pass are enlarged providing a clearance for the bolts 5!, thereby permitting adjustment and distortion of the shim throughout its length. For increasing the flexibility of the shim 52 in the plane referred to, a plurality of verticalv transverse slots may be provided such as 1 the slots 64-extending from the upper or-thin edge of the shim to the openings 56. lots can. also be provided in the lower edge of the shim if desired.

The shim 52, as shown, is adjustedverti'callyin either direction by a plurality of screws 53 projecting upwardly through suitable. spaced lugs or eyelets 59 welded to or formed integral with and extending rearwardly from the lower edge of the shim. The upper ends of the screws 58 are threaded into suitably tapped apertures ins-.thez lower edge of the. plate--I'6 forvertical adjustment, and the heads engage the: under surface of the lugs 59. A.lock.or. jam nut 60 threaded on each screw 58"and adapted to engage the upper side of the respective lug or. eyelet 59 provides means for locking theirrespective screws in adjusted position and holding the shim 52 against movement in either vertical. direction. The screws 58 are positioned intermediate the screws 5|, and cutout portions 62. in the lower edge of the plate [6 provide clearance for the lock nuts 66 and the lugs or eyelets 59.

In adjusting the assembly, the screws 5| holding the shearing knife 46 in assembled relation with the blade B are first loosened to permit vertical movement of the shim 52. The screws 58 are then adjusted in either direction to effect the desired amount of vertical movement of the shim 52 along its longitudinal length. As indicated above, and because of the longitudinal flexibility of the shim 52 in the plane approximately parallel to the wedging surfaces, the vertical adjustment throughout the length of the shim may be varied as desired. If an out- Ward camber or curvature of the shearing knife 46 is desired greater than that of the camber of the surface 53, the portions of the shim 52 intermediate its ends may be adjusted upwardly a greater distance than the end portions. If necessary, the lock nuts 60 engaging the upper surfacerof! the. lugs '.ori.eyelets-59..?.w'ill prevent the: ends of: theshim 52 moving upwardly'whenit is desired ,to adjustonly the central. portionsthereof. upwardly: Similarly, thezheads= of=:.the:. screws SBand/Orlock: nuts 60 will preventimover ment. of any: desired portion or portions of; they shim 52 should it be desiredetoxadjust: only a.

limited portion. oruportions thereof; Within vcertaini limitationsthe cutting. edge of .the. movable? blade Lcanbe. adjusted to: anyidesiredhcontour or shape.

An alternativeconstruction.from the preferred: embodiment of the invention is. shown inc Figs;- 8 and 9. In this embodiment'the.shearingknife 46 and the screws- 5| for securing :the shearing:

knife to the-bladeBi are preferably the.same:as-in.. the preferred embodiment. The shim; 5'21, how:- ever, is adjustably connected tothe bladezB: in; a differentmanner. moved vertically upwardly by a plurali'tyiofi:hori-v zontally spaced vertically extending: screws: 66

projecting downwardly through enlarged. open;- ings 61 in the lower portion.v of thev plates [6? directly above the shim and threaded: .i'nto-J apere tures in the upper or thin. edge of'the shim: The lower side of the heads of the screws bear. against a horizontal flat surfaceon the plate 16%,.

corresponding with the plate. lfiaof'thepreferreda. embodiment, which flat surface is. provided .by. a; flange formed along the l'ower: front edge-of. the.

plate l6 above the cutout therein corresponding with but larger than thecutout 49 in. the plate' 16, and apertures 68 through the plate l6 above the flange, of which apertures there is one for each screw 66. A plurality of vertically extending setscrews 69, one positioned adjacent each of" the screws 66, threadably engaged in threaded apertures in the plate 16 with .the lower ends bearing at spaced points against the. upper or thin edge of the: shim 52, eflect with the screws 66 a mutual locking action similar to the lockingaction of the lock nuts 6.5. As shown, the screws 56, 69 are positioned in pairs approximately midway between the screws 5!, the openings 56' in the shim 52 through which the bolts 5| project are elongated vertically, and the slots 64 of the preferred construction are omitted. The openings 56 could be formed circular'and the slots 64 provided, if desired. As a further alternative construction, the shims 52 or 52 might be formed in a plurality of short individual wedge-shaped members placed end to end. As shown, the plate i6 is of reduced thickness above the knife supporting portion, permitting ready removal or insertion of the screws 66, 69 in their respective openings.

With the constructions shown, it is not only possible to effect a camber in the cutting edge of the shearing knife, but it is possible to com pensate for flexures of the blade B intermediate its points of support due to the heavy loads or stresses imposed thereon during the actual shearing operation. Similarly, it is possible to compensate for variations in thickness of the shearing knife. The lower knife may be supported in a similar manner. If both knives are adjustably supported, it is possible 'to introduce slight non-linearities or curvatures in both such as to effect a non-linear or curved sheared edge on the material being out.

As a further alternative construction, the very slight degree of camber required in the type of press shown in order to obtain uniform clearance between the shearing knives, the front and back surfaces of the shim may be formed flat and As :shown, the shimzz52 isz plane when the shim is in its normal or unstressed state and thecamber imparted to the knife by i distorting the shim in a longitudinal plane extending generally parallel to the wedging surfaces. As previously pointed out, such distortions alter the unstressed shape of the front and back surfaces of the shim. 1

Thus it will be seen that embodiments of the invention have been described which accomplish the objects offthe invention hereinbefore set forth and others, provide a simple, economically manufactured, and easily adjustable means for adjusting the shearing knife of a shear press relative to the supporting member or to the opposed shearing knife, provide a firm and 'continuous support for the shearing knife throughout its longitudinal length, permit compensation for flexures of the supporting member under load, and enable a normally fiat and plane sided shearing knife to have a camber effected therein so that its cutting edge will conform to the surface of a cylinder.

Having thus described my invention in connection with the preferred embodiment and its preferred method of use, it will be obvious that variations both in structur and appearance will occur toothers .upon a, reading and understanding of the above which utilize the invention disclosed, and it is my intention to cover all-such modifications and variations.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An adjusting shim for a shear presshaving a supporting member for a shearing knife,

said shim comprising an elongated member hav ing a supporting member engaging side and a shearing knife engaging side angularly disposed in a transverse direction to form a wedge, at least one of said sides being outwardly cambered in a longitudinal direction.

2. In a shear press, a member having a thin elongated shearing knife mounted thereon, an

elongated shim positioning said knife relative to said member, said shim having at least one side in engagement with a surface on said member and'an opposed side engaging a side of said shearing knife, said sides being angularly disposed to form a wedge shaped shim, at least one i of said sides being outwardly cambered.

3. In a shear press, a member having a thin elongated shearing knife mounted thereon, an

elongated shim positioning said knife relative to said member, said shim having at least one side in engagement with a surface on said member, an opposed side engaging a side of said shearing knife, and an, edge extending intermediate said sides, said sides beingangularly disposed, and

means for adjusting said shim in desired amounts along its longitudinal length, said means comprising a plurality of bolts extending through apertures in said member and threadably en,-

gaged in saidedge, and a plurality of other bolts threaded in said member and abutting against said edge.

4. In a shear pressgof the character described,

comprising a stationary bed adapted to support a stationary shearing knife, and a blade oscillatable on an axis parallel to said stationary bed and having a lower edge angularly disposed relative to said stationary bed, said lower edge being recessed and adapted to receive a movable shearing knife, an elongated shim positioned in said recess and having a side in engagement with a side of said recess and an opposed side adapted to engage a side of said shearing knife, said sides tapering in a transverse direction to form a wedge shaped shim, at least one of said sides being cambered in a longitudinally direction of said shim.

a side of said recess, an opposed side engaging a side of said shearing knife, and an edge intermediate said sides, said'sides tapering in a transverse direction to form a wedge shaped shim, a,

plurality of bolts extending through an aperture in said member and threadably engaged in said edge, and a plurality of other bolts threadably engaged in said member and abutting against said edge.

ROY F. DEHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,751,562 Stinger Mar. 25, 1930 1,886,312 Stanton Nov. 1, 1932 1,963,734 Crafts June 19, 1934 2,180,204 Hallden Nov. 14, 1939 2,399,529 Willits Apr. 30, 1946 

